Push for the Climate Change Act Driving Thailand towards sustainability

Date: 25 April 2024 “Dr.Phirun Saiyasitpanich” Director-GeneralDepartment of Climate Change and Environment Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) said on the topic “Global warming law New Criteria and Opportunities for Thailand” at the event A Call to Action Go Green 2024 : The Ambition of Thailand organized by Krungthep Turakij that creating competitive business opportunities The factors that come into play have changed quite a lot. Disaster It will be more severe for many years to come from today. The world that is said to be hot has become a world of boiling water. Limiting the temperature to no more than 1.5 degrees is an effort that is believed to be best achieved. In a state of transition throughout the world

Antarctic temperature today Higher than average, currently -9 degrees, but used to be -50 degrees during the same period. It’s what we’re facing. The direction COP28 will go makes it clear that the world’s efforts are not enough. Temperatures may increase to 2.4 degrees, but just 2 degrees will affect corals, while 1.5 degrees will put corals at risk.

Sea water temperature rose 0.03 degrees from the release ofgreenhouse gases Today, the whole world, if it wants to go to 1.5 degrees, must reduce greenhouse gases by 43% in 2030, but the actual implementation is less than 10%, while in Thailand It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30-40% by 2030, with 33.2% coming from domestic efforts. With all mechanisms available, 6.8% used international finance under the convention. Both loans and grants and an additional 3% are used to measure the mechanism for trading carbon credits across countries.

Mechanisms that will drive the country’s economy must be urgently implemented. The 30-40% target comes from 2 factors: existing plans; and the plan to limit the temperature to 1.5 degrees requires additional plans to be raised. It is the dimension of 2030, but in 2035 it may be necessary to use Pathway as the basis for calculating the numbers on how much to reduce. and spread to every sector. Therefore, the instrument that is the Climate Change Act has a total of 14 sections, 169 sections, which is currently still a draft. There still need to be several more meetings to consider each category and section.

Laws to drive the country

Dr. Pirun went on to say that the goal of “law” in driving the country is

1. Modern laws must involve the people as much as possible.

2. There are new mechanisms that can be used, not an upgrade of existing ones. It is not a dimension of legal development. But a new mechanism has come in, and that mechanism will create money that can be used to support the industrial sector.

3. Develop financial mechanisms Support actions to reduce greenhouse gases and adaptation. to relevant sectors and those affected by climate change

4. Create an environment conducive to low-emission and sustainable investments.

and 5. To develop a monitoring and evaluation system for greenhouse gas reduction and climate change adaptation.

Push the draft into law

for Draft Climate Change Act together with

Section 1 guarantees the rights of citizens and determines the participation of each sector. The Department will create big data. Link central, provincial, and local data

Section 2: Thailand’s climate change goals are consistent with international obligations. Each government agency sets goals and plans accordingly. Integrate goals with one’s mission

Section 3 National Climate Change Policy Committee which already exists at present But it was raised to the level of the Act.

Category 4 Climate Change Fund has previously discussed with the Ministry of Finance, the Comptroller General’s Department, the Fiscal Policy Office. and related agencies This will be linked to the 8th strike in setting up a carbon price mechanism that will have money flowing in. The fund will have a clear goal of giving to SMDs. build capacity In dealing with the global temperature that will increase

Section 5 Master Plan to Support Climate Change

Section 6 Greenhouse Gas Information Prepare national greenhouse gas inventories and submit data through national reports to the UNFCCC.

Section 7 National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Action Plan Set operational guidelines for government agencies according to Thailand’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. in line with the master plan

Section 8: System for trading rights to emit greenhouse gas emissions to include compulsory measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy and society, including:

• Supervise the system for trading rights to release GHGs.
• Create a management plan for allocating rights to control the release of GHGs.
• The industry uses high amounts of fossil fuels.
• Determine the amount of greenhouse gases more precisely

Section 9 Carbon Tax System To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deal with the problem of preventing the flow of greenhouse gases, such as collecting taxes and carbon fees from products. Collect taxes on fossil fuels in the transportation sector. Electricity use sector and collect taxes from the use of products that emit high greenhouse gases.

Section 10 Carbon Credits To make the management and use of carbon credits reliable. and not contrary to or inconsistent with benefits or objectives The country’s sustainable development includes carbon credit management mechanisms. Supervise the use of domestic and international carbon credits and register carbon credit business operators.

Section 11 Adaptation to Climate Change To build immunity against climate change

Section 12 Measures to promote climate change operations in order to have financial support from the fund

Section 13 Standards for grouping economic activities in the area of ​​climate change and the environment

Section 14 Penalties Prevent and deter violations of enforcement measures.

“Many people probably think that How will the Emissions Trading System (ETS) be formed? Today we talk with the SEC about the law that is in the hands of the SEC. and mechanisms available in the market whether it can support the upcoming ETS Thailand or not Today there are adequate mechanisms.”

“All of this is not just a matter raised and written in the Act, but has it been discussed with all agencies about whether it is possible in practice or not? at the right time This Act It will take approximately 2 more months, which is the goal that we would like to see presented to the Cabinet.”

Finally, Dr. Pirun said: I want to show a picture of what the government is doing. How does the state look at every dimension? What limitations does the government understand? and the state is ready to listen Driven by every sector With the tool mechanism being the draft Climate Change Act after 2030, this Act will be very necessary in driving Thailand towards sustainability.